On 1 November, 8 states and 5 Union Territories mark their formation day. This guide lists all 13, their history, and why this date still matters.
Updated: 1 November 2026, 10:30 AM IST
- Quick Read: 8 states mark 1 November: Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu.
- 5 Union Territories mark 1 November: Andaman and Nicobar, Chandigarh, Delhi, Lakshadweep, Puducherry.
- The root is 1 November 1956, when the States Reorganisation Act took effect.
Why 1 November matters
India redrew its state map on language lines in the 1950s. The States Reorganisation Act 1956 took effect on 1 November 1956. That day changed many state borders at once. Some states were born that day. Some were reshaped that day. That is why so many places share one formation day. It is not a coincidence. It is one shared history.
The 1956 story in simple words
Before 1956, state borders did not follow language closely. People asked for states based on their language. The 1956 Act redrew the map. Karnataka, then called Mysore State, was formed on 1 November 1956. Kerala was also formed on 1 November 1956. Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh were reorganised on the same day. Kerala was formed from Travancore-Cochin plus Malabar plus Kasaragod. That mix shaped modern Kerala.
Karnataka and Kerala: two big names
Karnataka marks the day as Karnataka Rajyotsava. It is also called Kannada Rajyotsava. The state was first called Mysore State. It was renamed Karnataka on 1 November 1973. That rename date also falls on 1 November. Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar greeted people on 1 November 2026. His words were: “Kannada is not just a language; it is our breath.” That quote is attributed to him. It is not a general slogan. Kerala marks the day as Kerala Piravi. Piravi means birth. In 2026, Kerala Piravi is special. Desk calculation: 2026 − 1956 = 70 years. So Kerala marks its 70th formation year in 2026. Kerala Governor Om Mathur greeted people on the day.
Haryana and Chhattisgarh came later
Haryana was formed on 1 November 1966. It came from the Punjab Reorganisation. That split created the modern Haryana and Punjab shapes. Chhattisgarh was formed on 1 November 2000. It was carved from Madhya Pradesh. It became the 26th state at that time. Both states still mark 1 November as their formation day.
Tamil Nadu and the other states
Tamil Nadu was earlier called Madras. It was renamed Tamil Nadu in 1969. It still marks 1 November as formation day. Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh mark the 1956 reorganisation. Punjab marks the 1 November observance linked to the 1966 reorganisation. Each state marks the day in its own way. Some hold cultural events. Some hold official functions. Schools and local groups often join in.
Leaders’ greetings on 1 November 2026
Leaders greeted people across the country on 1 November 2026. Manohar Lal greeted people on the day. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta greeted people on the day. Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar shared the Kannada quote noted above. Kerala Governor Om Mathur greeted people on Kerala Piravi. Greetings are not policy news. They mark the day. They show the day still has public meaning.
Desk table: all 13 places
Desk table: Andhra Pradesh (State, reorganised 1 Nov 1956); Chhattisgarh (State, formed 1 Nov 2000, carved from Madhya Pradesh); Haryana (State, formed 1 Nov 1966); Karnataka (State, formed 1 Nov 1956, renamed 1 Nov 1973, formerly Mysore State); Kerala (State, formed 1 Nov 1956, 70th year in 2026, from Travancore-Cochin + Malabar + Kasaragod); Madhya Pradesh (State, reorganised 1 Nov 1956); Punjab (State, 1 Nov observance linked to 1966 reorganisation); Tamil Nadu (State, formation day observed 1 Nov, renamed 1969, formerly Madras); Andaman and Nicobar (UT, observed 1 Nov); Chandigarh (UT, observed 1 Nov); Delhi (UT, observed 1 Nov); Lakshadweep (UT, observed 1 Nov); Puducherry (UT, observed 1 Nov). Where a year is not given in this guide, no year is claimed. The count is the key fact: 8 states plus 5 UTs equals 13 places.
Also read: https://indiapresents.in/rashtriya-ekta-diwas-october-31-guide/ , https://indiapresents.in/chhath-puja-2026-dates-guide-november/ , https://indiapresents.in/india-bloc-ramlila-rally-delhi-today/
What happens next
Events continue through 1 November in many states. Karnataka Rajyotsava events and Kerala Piravi events run during the day. Local news will carry photos and reports from these events. Check your state government notice for the event near you.
- FAQ: Q: How many states and UTs mark 1 November? A: 8 states and 5 Union Territories. That is 13 places in total.
- Q: Why is 1 November the shared date? A: The States Reorganisation Act 1956 took effect on 1 November 1956. It formed Karnataka and Kerala and reorganised Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, among other changes.
- Q: What is Kerala Piravi, and why is 2026 special? A: Kerala Piravi is Kerala’s birth day. In 2026 it is the 70th year since 1956. 2026 minus 1956 equals 70.
